Platycerus caprea is a species of beetle, from the subfamily Lucaninae of family Lucanidae. It was discovered by Charles De Geer in 1774, and was thus the first known member of its genus.

Stag beetles compose the family Lucanidae. It has about 1,200 species of beetles in four subfamilies. Some species grow to over 12 centimetres, but most to about 5 cm.